Video DJ software recommendations???

[scott1988]

Big Beat and Mixpro this may be right up your alley(s).

I'm needing some video software for my mobile DJ business and although I've worked with one in the past, I'm looking at something new and fresh.

From what I understand, most of the clubs in Vegas use "Serato" and I have not worked with it so I will be looking into it.

I've been looking at Traktor Pro but from what I can see, it doesn't have video capabilities although it looks like it rocks with the audio mixing capabilities from what the videos showed. Pretty much "DJ dummy proof" when it comes to beat mixing.

"Virtual DJ" has video capabilities but from the few times I've used Virtual DJ for audio, I never really got a good feeling from using it so I don't know how the video part would do. Maybe I just need to get more used to where everything is.

I've recently stumbled across a new software called "ClubDJ ProVJ" http://www.clubdjpro.com/ and downloaded the demo. I like what it has to offer....so far. It has video and audio mixing capabilities (although nothing compared to Traktor Pro when it comes to audio mixing), the ability to scroll text messages, display a background and/or a logo, and insert a static ticker if wanted. It has 2 decks and a middle "preview" deck to duh...preview your audio or video track/file that's getting ready to be played. The other cool thing that it offers is the ability to play and display karaoke tracks through the software as well thus allowing me to not have to have a separate software for that. However, I haven't checked into whether or not it will "unzip" all of the files within a certain format for karaoke and would need to check on that first because if it won't, then I would have to manually "unzip" any karaoke track that I would want to be played. Which really wouldn't be that bad, thanks to the multiple decks, once I got used to it I guess.

I've seen some of the DJ's (Big beat and a few others ???) get into "video mashing" and think that it's cool but I'm not looking to get that extensive. As Big beat pointed out in another thread, it takes a ton of time and in the end, may not be worth the return. People may, or may not, give a crap about being able to mix other videos, clips, etc. with other songs and/or video and may just want a decent mix with popular vids. However, I do want to get into "video DJing" as I agree it's already the thing of the past. In my region of the country, it's just starting to catch on and I think I may have a leg up on the competition if I can get going with it. There's more to DJing now than just being able to play music and beat mix it....people want to "see" entertainment and not just hear it.

So here's the question:

What would you recommend for a video/audio jock who wants to be able to play audio, video, and karaoke tracks to the audience through their sound system (via laptop and mix board obviously) AND......display it on a couple projector screens and/or tv monitors/displays (or more if so desired)? I'm not so concerned about the karaoke part because I've already got that covered and have the 50,000 plus songs to help. The "all inclusiveness" of the software to do karaoke would be a plus but not a necessity. So.....????

I looked through a few threads and didn't see these requests so if I missed them, just tell me quickly to go back and do more research on here and I gladly will. Don't want to be a newby not doing their homework.

[grpubboss]

scott,that club pro dj software is being used by one of my ex djs, he has a full time DJ business and he likes the simplicity and ease of use of it,he actually showed me the software for me to check out.So if he is using it it cant be that bad l guess!
l was asking him his technique for burning promo only video disks to hard drive and actually naming the artist/song to the chapters(l am still trying to figure it out)l have decided to use handbrake or imtoo or dvd anywhere and convert to mpeg4 but l need to figure out the naming /renaming of the vob files,if anyone can pipe in mix,bigbeat??

[scott1988]

Yeah, as far as getting videos goes, there are "ways" you can get them. Sure, the quality of some of them is not as good as others so you have to look at the vids. I will eventually utilize promo only for both my audio and video part of my shows but for now, I'm just trying to build my library. In actuality, I may not even need to get the audio CD's because the video ones have audio on them as well so if I need an audio track, I can just play it through my software that I choose. Plus, if it can rip or download videos, it comes with audio as well so I should be set either way. But, even if I'm at a place that doesn't want video, I can still use the video software as the mixer because I don't have to set up the projectors or monitors to display the videos but it can still obviously play the songs.

Until I get that far, I won't know how to change the names as you're describing so until I get there, I'll have to research what others have done.

[scott1988]

Oh come on, nobody has any ideas or suggestions other than Grpubboss?

[grpubboss]

heh scott,
just to update you what l have been doing.l have virtual dj pro on a computer mixpro custom made for me and this particular program will play nearly all files including vob.l can change file format using any of the programs l first mentioned above,and as far as tagging,renaming etc l will end up doing this manually untill l can figure out a solution.
I have researched so many ways to find the best way to do what l am wanting to do, but for what you are wanting to do l would recommend virtual dj.

One more program a lot of virtual dj users are recommending is" djextractor "which is primarily designed for promo only discs.
ONE MORE important update ,promo only now have digital video discs in mpeg4 format so no ripping and burning just drag and drop to hard drive,(so much easier)everything is tagged and labeled for you.
Hope this helps.

[Michael Black]

A search for video software turns up many old threads including this one:

http://www.nightclub-business.com/fo...video+software

[scott1988]

Thanks G,
I did just look at Virtual DJ recently as well. Like I said, I wasn't real impressed with the user interface the few times I used it for DJing for another company. But even though it's so similar, the video interface is not bad to use. Not to mention, I like some of the features and mixing capabilities of it. Currently, it's at the top of my list with a few exceptions.

I tried to download Sarato the other night because another DJ that I'm friends with says that their club is switching their current software over to it. He mentioned that "every" nightclub that they went to for the Nightclub convention was using it. Now, that doesn't mean that I would use it but I downloaded the demo version. Needless to say, I must be doing something wrong because I couldn't load and play any vids. Not to mention that the interface seems weird and lost to me. Maybe I just didn't understand it. In any event, if it's going to be that difficult to get used to, I probably won't take to the time to look at it. It may be a great software but I don't have the time right now to figure out what I was doing wrong.

Michael,
I did a search and although I found a few things on DJ/VJ software on the forum, nothing in particular to what I was referring to. I don't want to be a "newbie" and NOT use the search function, so I did, but maybe I overlooked the thread you pointed out. Thanks for taking the time to point it it out, I'll check into it. I try to do my due dillegence first.

[ontheway]

Just to jump in here. Serato is not ale to be downloaded and used as a demo. Serato is able to be downloaded and you have to buy the hardware to use it. Serato is way too much for what you are trying to do. Serato is basically vinyl emulation (spelling). Meaning it is a way for dj's that use turntables and cdj's to ditch having to carry around records and cd's. Yes it does now have the capability to do videos, but from what i think you are trying to do, it is just not right. Yes many clubs are moving to this because it is basically the industry standard for dj's hands down. I use it and love it, but i think there are other products out there that you would like a lot more for your purposes. For the price and functions you are looking for virtual dj seems to be the best.
Unless i am completely wrong and you are a dj that gets into beat-matching, scratching, and all other turntables then Serato is the way to go. Just to let you know there is no auto beat-match in serato. There are effects and a lot you can do with it, but unless you are a true dj through and through then i would not go with it. My two cents.

[bigbeat]

Took some time and read this entire thread. With the understanding that you are going to be using it for "MOBILE DJ" applications, I would suggest VIRTUAL DJ even though you didn't really like the interface. I've used this for some mobile gigs and thought it was a very solid program and very easy to use.

Serato is my favorite, but not for mobile gigs. Just club & mixshow type gigs.

[AF_COP]

I use virtual dj and really like it...

[infomercial]

HIiiiiiii this is a nice thing. Virtual DJ software is a very best in mixing the songs and it work as a DJ so its a good software.. If you want to download it then go in google and download it from there..

[scott1988]

Now that's what I'm talking about. Thanks folks.

I'll admit, I'm not looking to be a "true DJ" at the current time with reference to beat mixing/matching and so-on. Sure, I've done it, and will do it (to some extent) at my shows, but nothing like the vids I've seen you guys put together and the ones I've seen on you-tube about DJ's. I've been to the Traktor PRO website and I must say, it's pretty bitchin' and if I was just going to do audio, I would probably do Traktor but again, I'm not a true-blood DJ that started "scratchin' and spinnin" when I was 10 or 12.

I just talked to the place that's getting Serato and they told me what I thought, and you said as well, that you can't just download a demo and play vids. You have to get the hardware as well. How convenient huh? Oh well, it's probably just as well. As you've mentioned, it would probably be "overkill" for what I want or just not meet my needs at this time and I would just be disappointed and frustrated. I think no matter which software I choose, I may have to get a second or third software to take care of some other video aides I would like to integrate into my shows as well anyway. So, I'll have to compromise on whichever one I choose.

I'm a simple guy who played drums (fricking well I must say) and knows a good beat when I "feel" one. I can mix very well when I need to or want to. It irritates the F*ck out of me when I go into a club and hear a DJ try to mix something and it sounds like crap because it's off by 1/64th of a beat (yes I can hear this and any decent DJ with an ear can too). Or they play with the song by looping it so much or adding so many different effects that it just gets annoying. To me, sometimes the "less is more" thing holds true.

So I think the majority of you may be right at this time. I'm still going to play around with Virtual VJ/DJ and Club DJ Pro VJ before I make my decision. But it will be soon as I have to get everything downloaded and ready for some shows coming up.

I'll try to get back on here and post my decision and why when I get time later on.

Thanks for the input people. I appreciate it.

Later.

[bigbeat]

There is another system I can recommend if "price" isn't as important as "function & reliability". It is called "DJ Power". It is very pricy but very stable & packed with features including karaoke, etc. You can buy a system (lunchbox style computer with touchscreen, etc) or just the software for your computer.

[scott1988]

Thanks, I'll check on that when I get a chance.

[jehallett]

Just downloaded the clubdjpro VJ and like it alot. Alot of nice features. I am having trouble finding the user manual online for it.

Where is it located?

[scott1988]

Not sure. I didn't look for the manual so I don't know if there is one. I think that it has a help menu that may have a manual in it though.

So far, I've been demoing Virtual DJ and it has some great features as well. Although it didn't import all of them, I was able to use it the other night for a show when I needed my karaoke tracks. One of my computers has a broken screen and it wouldn't display on a secondary monitor correctly so, I needed to use my other one and had to rely on the trial version of Virtual DJ to "limp" me through. It wasn't perfect but did help me get through what I needed. So I have to thank Virtual DJ so far for the help.

I haven't completely decided on which software I will utilize but at this point, I'm leaning towards Virtual DJ over ClubDJ Pro VJ. It's got some nice beat mix features both audio and video wise that will help out a lot and a few other things over ClubDJ ProVJ. Both are great either way though so I'm sure that each one will work fine. At least I hope.

Virtual DJ does have a manual but that doesn't help with your current question. Sorry

[jehallett]

Are there any nice beat mix features on the ProVJ? If so how do you do them? Ive been plaing around with it as much as I can and just cant quite figure it all out! I wish there was a manual!

[scott1988]

Well, I had a little bit of a time figuring that part out too and that's why I started looking at Virtual DJ. I wanted something that will help out with the beat mixing and/or matching. Virtual DJ definately matches up the beats automatically. I don't know if Club VJ Pro DJ will do this. And yes, I wish there was a manual too. For those who use Traktor or Serato or a few other systems, it's probably a no-brainer but I don't and didn't have access to either one of those in the past and just had to learn how to beat mix with a dual deck CD player and headphones. I know that I will still be doing this with Virtual DJ but it will definately take some of the "guess-work" out of it by automatically beat matching. And not to mention, it plays the video right along with it "virtually" (no pun intended) to perfection whether I slow it down or speed it up or do a loop. It doesn't seem to have any problems yet.

The only issue I've had so far with Virtual is that sometimes the external screen that you put the videos on will revert back to my laptop monitor and then it looks like the program of Virtual DJ is not responding and I have to close it. But I'm not sure if it's something I'm doing or the software yet. I haven't had enough time to figure it out.